Show Notes 13 June 2025
Story 1: Scientists turn hard-to-recycle plastics into clean hydrogen fuel
Source: Knowridge.com
Link: https://knowridge.com/2025/06/scientists-turn-hard-to-recycle-plastics-into-clean-hydrogen-fuel/
- Researchers at the Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER) have developed South Korea’s first continuous gasification system to convert hard-to-recycle thermoset plastics into syngas [synthetic gas], a feedstock for hydrogen fuel.
- Before we go on with the article, let’s define thermoset plastics and “feedstock” for hydrogen fuel.
- Thermoset plastics, commonly used in automobiles and electronics, cannot be remelted or reshaped, making them difficult to recycle.
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Side note – Thermoset plastics are polymers that harden irreversibly when cured, making them heat-resistant and durable. Here are some common examples:
- Epoxy Resins – Used in adhesives, coatings, and composite materials.
- Phenolic Resins (Bakelite) – Found in electrical insulators and kitchenware.
- Melamine-Formaldehyde – Used in laminates, dinnerware, and countertops.
- Polyurethane – Found in insulation foams, elastomers, and coatings.
- Polyimides – Used in aerospace components and electronics.
- Silicone Resins – Common in sealants, adhesives, and medical applications.
- Urea-Formaldehyde – Used in particleboard and molded objects.
- Duroplast – A lightweight, strong material used in automotive parts.
- Cyanate Ester Resins – Found in high-performance aerospace applications.
- Vinyl Ester Resins – Used in corrosion-resistant coatings and fiberglass products
- Side note: A feedstock for hydrogen fuel refers to the raw material used to produce hydrogen through various chemical or physical processes. Common feedstocks include:
- Natural Gas (Methane, CH₄) – Used in steam methane reforming (SMR), the most widely used method for hydrogen production.
- Water (H₂O) – Electrolysis splits water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity.
- Biomass – Organic materials can be gasified to produce hydrogen.
- Plastic Waste – Some advanced processes convert hard-to-recycle plastics into hydrogen-rich syngas.
- Back to the news – The Korea Institute of Energy Research team is using thermoset plastics as a feedstock, meaning they are broken down at high temperatures to release hydrogen, which can then be purified and used as fuel.
- The new method uses high-temperature gasification powered by oxy-fuel combustion, maintaining reaction temperatures of up to 1,300°C [that’s 2,372 degrees Fahrenheit] to process one ton of mixed thermoset plastic per day.
- Side note – Oxy-fuel combustion is a process where fuel is burned using pure oxygen or a mixture of oxygen and recirculated flue gas instead of air. This method eliminates nitrogen from the combustion process, leading to higher flame temperatures and reduced fuel consumption.
- Key Benefits:
- Lower flue gas volume: Reduces emissions by about 75% compared to air-fueled combustion.
- Higher efficiency: Less heat is lost in the flue gas, improving energy efficiency.
- Carbon capture potential: The exhaust consists mainly of CO₂ and H₂O, making it easier to capture and store CO₂.
- Reduced pollutants: Since nitrogen is absent, NOₓ emissions are significantly lower.
- Oxy-fuel combustion is widely used in metal cutting and welding, but it’s also being explored for power generation and carbon capture technologies
- The Korea Institute of Energy Research pilot plant demonstration showed that every kilogram of mixed thermoset plastic waste can yield about 130 grams of hydrogen, offering a viable route to produce clean fuel from previously unrecyclable plastics.
- The team plans to scale up to a facility capable of handling two tons of plastic per day, advancing toward full commercialization.
- This innovation promises to reduce plastic pollution while supporting sustainable hydrogen economies.
Story 2: Terraforming Mars Might Actually Work and Scientists Now Have a Plan to Try It
Source: ZME Science Story by Tibi Puiu
See research paper here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-025-02548-0
- In a new paper, a group of planetary scientists, biologists, and engineers [from Harvard, Pioneer Research Labs, University of Chicago, and many other institutions] make the case for treating Mars as the ultimate ecological experiment.
- The study outlines a 3-step phased plan for making Mars habitable over centuries.
- The first phase involves increasing Mars’ surface temperature using methods like solar sails, engineered aerosols, and silica aerogels to trigger greenhouse gas feedback loops.
- Next, scientists propose introducing genetically engineered microbes capable of surviving Mars’ harsh conditions. These extremophiles could begin generating organic material and altering the planet’s chemistry.
- And then, over time, efforts would focus on creating an oxygen-rich environment that could support human life without pressure suits.
- The article also addresses ethical concerns, such as the possibility of erasing traces of indigenous Martian life. Researchers stress the need for thorough exploration before introducing Earth-based organisms.
- As a side benefit with application here on Earth, they argue that technologies developed for terraforming Mars could help combat climate change on Earth.
- Reality Check – While the project may take centuries, the authors advocate for near-term small-scale experiments to refine strategies for planetary engineering.
Story 3: Radiant Raises $165 Million For Development Of ‘World’s First’ Mass Produced Nuclear Reactor
Source: Nucnet.org Story by David Dalton
See also: https://www.radiantnuclear.com/
- Radiant Industries, a California-based nuclear startup, has secured $165 million in Series C funding to advance the development of Kaleidos, the world’s first mass-produced portable nuclear microreactor.
- Reality Check [my comments]: The article claims Radiant Industries has developed a “world’s first” mass-produced portable nuclear microreactor. Several companies today are developing small scale nuclear reactors focusing on compact, scalable designs for decentralized energy solutions. Some of the leading manufacturers include:
- NuScale Power – Developing the NuScale Power Module, a small modular reactor (SMR) designed for flexible deployment.
- Holtec International – Working on the SMR-160, a passive safety-focused reactor.
- GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy – Advancing the BWRX-300, a simplified boiling water reactor.
- Westinghouse Electric Company – Developing the eVinci Micro Reactor, designed for remote power applications.
- TerraPower – Founded by Bill Gates, working on Natrium, a sodium-cooled fast reactor.
- X-energy – Developing the Xe-100, a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor.
- Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation – Focused on the Micro-Modular Reactor (MMR) for industrial and remote use.
- Oklo – Working on the Aurora reactor, a compact fission system.
- Kairos Power – Developing Flibe-cooled reactors for efficient energy production.
- Rolls-Royce SMR – Designing modular reactors for commercial power generation.
- These companies are pushing the boundaries of small-scale nuclear technology, aiming to provide clean, reliable energy for diverse applications, from remote communities to data centers.
- Reality check on “portability” – per Co-Pilot AI feedback – among the reactors listed above, the Westinghouse eVinci Micro Reactor, Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation’s Micro-Modular Reactor (MMR), and Oklo’s Aurora reactor are designed with portability in mind.
- My comment – regardless of the “portability” claim – the key here with this news is the trend worldwide to develop small reactors.
- Back to the article – Designed to replace diesel generators, the one-megawatt microreactor aims to provide resilient power for remote villages, emergency response efforts, and military installations.
- The funding will support the first test of Kaleidos in 2026 at the Idaho National Laboratory DOME facility.
- The company plans to scale production to 50 microreactors per year, with initial customer deployments expected by 2028.
Story 4: A step closer to the confident production of blood stem cells for regenerative medicine
Source: Eurekalert.org Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Barcelona
Link: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1083986
Research paper here: https://ashpublications.org/blood/article-abstract/doi/10.1182/blood.2024027742/536680/An-unbiased-genomewide-screen-uncovers-7-genes
- Stem cells can produce any other cell type; it is just a matter of telling them in the right way. From a biological perspective, this means activating the proper genetic program by pressing the right keys, meaning the right genes, at the right moment.
- Side note – How stem cells can be transformed into a specific cell type. Stem cells are guided into becoming specific cell types through a combination of genetic instructions and environmental signals. This process, known as cell differentiation, is regulated by transcription factors—proteins that turn genes on or off—along with chemical signals from the surrounding tissue.
- Here’s how it happens:
- Gene Regulation – Inside a stem cell, certain genes are activated while others are silenced, directing the cell’s fate. These changes are influenced by epigenetic modifications, like DNA methylation and histone modifications.
- Signaling Pathways – External signals from neighboring cells and the extracellular environment—such as growth factors, cytokines, and hormones—help determine what type of cell the stem cell will become. For example, in embryonic development, gradients of signaling molecules guide stem cells into forming muscle, nerve, or skin cells.
- Physical Environment – The stiffness of the surrounding tissue and the forces acting on the cell can also influence differentiation. Cells exposed to softer environments may become neural cells, while those in stiffer areas might turn into bone-forming osteoblasts.
- Stem Cell Niche – The microenvironment where a stem cell resides plays a crucial role in shaping its behavior. Specialized niches provide support and signaling cues that help maintain stem cells in their undifferentiated state or push them toward specialization.
- Quite often, blood cancer patients [including leukemia and lymphoma] require the replacement of their blood stem cells in the bone marrow, the tissue producing blood cells where their cancer grows.
- Unfortunately, finding a compatible donor happens to be too challenging sometimes.
- What if we could produce the cells needed to make blood in the lab, right from basic stem cells, and use them to regenerate a new and healthy bone marrow?
- To do this, you would need to know what genes to activate in a stem cell.
- In a tour de force, a team at the Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Barcelona screened thousands of genes in the mice genome to see which were able to transform an embryonic stem cell into a blood precursor or, more technically, a Haematopoietic Stem Cell (HPSC). The screening identified a group of seven genes apparently able to accomplish the task.
- Side note: Haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are the foundation of blood cell production. These remarkable cells reside primarily in the bone marrow and have the ability to self-renew and differentiate into various types of blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
- The process by which HSCs generate blood cells is called haematopoiesis, ensuring a continuous supply of fresh blood cells to replace old or damaged ones. In adults, this process occurs mainly in the red bone marrow, while during embryonic development, HSCs originate in the aorta-gonad-mesonephros region before migrating to other locations.
- HSCs are crucial for medical treatments, particularly in bone marrow transplants for conditions like leukemia and immune disorders, as they can regenerate a patient’s blood system.
- In subsequent experiments, the team confirmed that the timely activation of the seven genes was sufficient to transform mouse embryonic stem cells into Haematopoietic stem cells, and that these newly produced cells were able to regenerate and sustain a functional blood system, producing all kinds of blood cells, including the immune lineages, in adult mice.
Honorable Mentions
Story: Graduate student unveils plant-inspired tech that pulls harmful toxin from air: ‘Totally different than what anybody else is doing’
Source: The Cool Down Story by Jon Turi
- The article discusses a groundbreaking technology developed by Cornell graduate student Bayu Ahmad. He created the first light-powered separation system for capturing and releasing carbon dioxide, inspired by the photosynthesis process in plants.
- Traditional carbon capture methods are expensive and often rely on energy from fossil fuels, which contradicts their purpose.
- Ahmad’s system mimics the way plants naturally store carbon, presenting a more efficient and sustainable alternative.
His work has been described as completely different from existing carbon capture methods, and even skeptics were impressed when they saw it in action.
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Story: A fresh new way to produce freshwater: Sonicated carbon nanotube catalysts
Source: Water Online
- The article discusses a new method for producing freshwater using **sonicated carbon nanotube (CNT) catalysts, developed by researchers at Tohoku University. Here are the key points:
- Freshwater scarcity is a growing problem due to contamination from stormwater and surface water.
- Traditional advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are nonselective, breaking down both pollutants and useful water constituents.
- The new method uses sonicated CNTs, which enable a more selective reaction pathway.
- This approach utilizes singlet oxygen and direct electron transfer, allowing for targeted removal of industrial and municipal pollutants.
- Pollutants can be removed within five minutes at an unprecedented rate.
- The technique is effective across various water conditions, including different pH levels and organic matter presence.
- This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and sustainable water purification processes.
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Story: 3D-printed device advances human tissue modeling
Source: WU Medicine [University of Washington] NewsRoom Story by Leila Gray
Link: https://newsroom.uw.edu/blog/3d-printed-device-advances-human-tissue-modeling
- A new, easily adopted, 3D-printed device will enable scientists to create models of human tissue with even greater control and complexity. An interdisciplinary group of researchers at UW Medicine and the University of Washington led the development of the device.
- 3D tissue engineering, which recently has undergone other major advances in speed and accuracy, helps biomedical researchers design and test therapies for a range of diseases.
- One goal of tissue engineering is to create lab-made environments that recreate the natural habitats of cells.
- Suspending cells in a gel between two freestanding posts is one of the current modeling platforms for growing heart, lung, skin and musculoskeletal tissues.
- While this approach allows cells to behave as they would inside the body, it has not made it easy to study multiple tissue types together. More precise control over the composition and spatial arrangement of tissues would allow scientists to model complex diseases, such as neuromuscular disorders.
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Story: New MIT Tech Could Cut Oil Refining Energy by 90%
Source: SciTechDaily.com Story by Anne Trafton, MIT
Link: https://scitechdaily.com/new-mit-tech-could-cut-oil-refining-energy-by-90/
- This article discusses a breakthrough by MIT engineers who have developed a molecular membrane that could significantly reduce emissions in crude oil processing. Here are the key points:
- Separating crude oil into gasoline, diesel, and heating oil requires intense heat, consuming around 1% of global energy and generating 6% of CO₂ emissions.
- MIT’s polymer membrane filters oil components by molecular size rather than boiling points, potentially reducing energy use for separation by 90%.
- The technology adapts principles from reverse osmosis membranes used in water desalination.
- Engineers replaced a flexible amide bond with a rigid imine bond, preventing swelling and allowing efficient hydrocarbon passage.
- The membrane can be manufactured using established interfacial polymerization techniques, paving the way for large-scale implementation.
- Lab tests showed the membrane successfully concentrated specific hydrocarbons and effectively separated real industrial oil samples.
- This innovation could replace traditional crude oil fractionation columns, making processing more efficient and environmentally friendly.